Venice Biennale jury resigns over Russian pavilion reopening, sparking debate on art and politics
Days before the official opening of the 61st Venice Biennale on May 9, 2026, the entire jury resigned in protest against the reopening of the Russian national pavilion. This mirrors the 2024 Documenta committee resignation amid antisemitism accusations linked to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The author argues that the art world has become a space where politics gains exhibition value, citing the US pavilion's selection of self-taught sculptor Alma Allen—the first white male to represent the US since 2009—chosen by the Trump administration to exalt 'American values' while banning diversity, equity, and inclusion projects. The French pavilion features Yto Barrada, whose anti-Israel stance prompted the French government to disavow her views. Catherine Millet in Artpress denounced Barrada's work as 'propaganda.' The author calls for abolishing the national pavilion model, citing Gwangju Biennale's institutional representation as an alternative. The Biennale runs from May 9 to November 22, 2026.
Key facts
- The Venice Biennale jury resigned collectively days before the May 9 opening, protesting the Russian pavilion's reopening.
- Alma Allen, a self-taught sculptor, represents the US—the first white male since 2009—selected by the Trump administration.
- The US State Department required the artist to exalt 'American values' and banned diversity, equity, and inclusion projects.
- Yto Barrada represents France; her anti-Israel stance led the French government to say she does not represent its views.
- Catherine Millet in Artpress called Barrada's work 'propaganda' and questioned why the artist-pavilion distinction isn't applied to Israel.
- A petition at the Biennale targeted only the Israeli pavilion, ignoring Russian airstrikes on civilian buildings.
- The author argues national pavilions should be replaced by institutional representation, as at the Gwangju Biennale.
- The 61st Venice Biennale, titled 'In Minor Keys,' runs May 9 to November 22, 2026.
Entities
Artists
Institutions
- Venice Biennale
- Documenta
- Artpress
- French government
- US State Department
- Trump administration
- Gwangju Biennale
Locations
- Venice
- Italy
- Kassel
- Germany
- Gwangju
- South Korea
- Russia
- Israel
- France
- United States
- China
- Tibet
- Senegal
- Cisjordania
- Gaza